Peach tree &#34;Brittney Lane&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica), its novelty consisting of the following unique combination of features that are desirable in a new variety: 
     1. Early maturity of the fruit. 
     2. Fruit with large size, good flavor and eating quality. 
     3. Fruit with an attractive red skin color. 
     4. Producing firm fruit with good handling and shipping quality. 
     5. Heavy and regular production of fruit. 
     6. Having a relatively low winter chilling requirement of approximately 350 hours. 
     7. Vigorous, upright tree growth.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of peach tree was originated by us in our experimentalorchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a first generation crossbetween two selected seedlings with field identification numbers108ED650 and 74EC159. The material parent (108ED650) originated from thecross of a seedling selection (3GC117) with a seedling of unknownparentage. The seedling selection (3GC117) originated from a cross oftwo selected seedlings (29GA847 and 16GA1063). The selected seedling(29GA847) originated from a Red Grand Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.1,060) crossed with Desert Gold Peach (non-patented). The seedlingselection (16GA1063) originated from Sun Red Nectarine (non-patented)crossed with June Glo Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,228). Thepaternal parent (74EC159) originated from a cross of an open pollinatedMay Grand Nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. 2,794) seedling with a seedlingoriginating from open pollinated Sam Houston Peach (non-patented) seed.A large group of seedlings from our first generation cross were grownand maintained under close observation, one early maturing seedling,which is the present variety, exhibited distinct and desirable fruitcharacteristics and was selected for asexual reproduction andcommercialization.

Asexual Reproduction of the Variety

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding, as performed by us in our experimental orchard located nearModesto, Calif., and shows that all characteristics of the tree and itsfruit run true to the original tree and are established and transmittedthrough succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The herein new and distinct variety of peach tree is of large size,vigorous, upright growth, and a regular and productive bearer of largesize, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with good flavor and eatingquality. The fruit having firm flesh, good handling and shipping qualitywith a high degree of attractive red skin color. The tree is furthercharacterized by having a relatively low winter chilling requirement ofapproximately 350 hours, producing early maturing fruit that arerelatively uniform in size throughout the tree and in comparison to thelow chilling Desert Gold Peach (non-patented) which ripens in the samematurity season, the new variety produces fruit that is larger in size,has firmer flesh, has greater handling and shipping quality and also ahigher degree of attractive red skin color.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations ofspecimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color terminology (exceptthose in common terms) in accordance with Reinhold Color Atlas by A.Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Form.--Pruned to vase shape.

Productivity.--Productive.

Bearer.13 Regular.

Density.--Medium dense.

Growth.--Upright.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to large.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to hair brown (5-D-6) to (5-E-4).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth to medium rough.

Lenticels.--Medium number. Large size.

Color.--Light brown to brown (5-C-5) to (5-D-4), varies with age ofgrowth.

Leaves

Size.--Large. Average length 6". Average width 13/4".

Form.--Lanceolate.

Margin.--Crenate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Reinform. Medium size. Number varies from 1 to 4. Averagenumber 2. Located on base of leaf blade and upper portion of petiole.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to deep green (28-F-7) to (28-F-8). Lowersurface -- dull green to green (29-E-7) to (29-E-8).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium to large.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Large, showy.

Pollen.--Present, self-fertile.

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom: Feb. 21, 1996. Date of fullbloom: Feb. 26, 1996. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Jun. 2, 1996.

Date of last picking.--Jun. 7, 1996.

Size.--Large. Average diameter axially 21/2". Average transversely insuture plane 23/4".

Form.--Nearly globose, slightly flattened at base and apex.

Suture.--Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Nearly rounded, very slightly lipped.

Apex.--Usually slightly retuse, varies from slightly retuse to rounded.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth7/16". Average breadth 15/16".

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm.

Fibers.--Few, fine, tender.

Aroma.--Moderate.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Eating quality.--Good.

Flavor.--Mild, good balance between acid and sugar.

Color.--Light yellow to yellow (3-A-4) to (3-A-6). Pit cavity, dullyellow to grayish yellow (3-B-4) to (3-B-5).

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Down.--Moderate. Medium length.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Color.--Yellow to butter yellow ground color (4-A-4) to (4-A-5). Nearlyoverspread with red to madder red (9-A-7) to (9-B-7).

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Large. Average length 11/4". Average width 1". Average thickness1/2".

Form.--Obvoid.

Base.--Usually rounded, varies from rounded to straight.

Apex.--Slightly pointed, varies from slightly pointed to rounded.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed toward apex, pitted toward base, pitsvary from round to slightly elongated.

Sides.--Mostly equal, varies from equal to unequal.

Tendency to split.--Very slight.

Color.--Light brown to brown (5-D-4) to (5-E-4).

Use: Dessert. Market, local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, which is of large size, vigorous, uprightgrowth and a productive and regular bearer of large, yellow fleshclingstone fruit with good flavor and eating quality; the tree isfurther characterized by producing fruit with firm flesh, good handlingand shipping quality, having a low winter chilling requirement ofapproximately 350 hours and in comparison to the Desert Gold Peach(non-patented), the new variety has firmer flesh, greater handling andshipping quality, and a higher degree of attractive red skin color.